Mining and Sustainable Development

Mining is a transformative activity which has numerous economic, social and environmental impacts. These impacts can be both positive and adverse, enhancing as well as disrupting economies, ecosystems and communities. The extractive industries have been criticised heavily for their adverse impacts and involvement in significant social and environmental scandals. More recently, these industries have sought to respond to negative perceptions and have embraced the core principles of sustainability. This sector could be regarded as a leader in sustainability initiatives, evident from the various developments and frameworks in mining and sustainability that have emerged over time. This book reviews current topical issues in mining and sustainable development. It addresses the changing role of minerals in society, the social acceptance of mining, due diligence in the mining industry, critical and contemporary debates such as mining and indigenous peoples and transit worker accommodation, corporate sustainability matters such as sustainability reporting and taxation, and sustainability solutions through an emphasis on renewable energy and shared-used infrastructure. Written by experts from Australia, Europe and North America, but including examples from both developed and developing countries, the chapters provide a contemporary understanding of sustainability opportunities and challenges in the mining industry. The book will be of interest to practitioners, government and civil society as well as scholars and students with interests in mining and sustainable development.

Sumit K. Lodhia is an Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Sustainability Governance, in the School of Commerce, University of South Australia.

1. Mining and Sustainable Development Part I Importance of Sustainability in Mining 2. The Changing Role of Minerals in Society: Managing a Shift in Paradigms 3. Understanding the social acceptance of mining Part II Due Diligence 4. Environmental Impact Assessment and the quest for sustainable mining 5. Using social impact assessment to achieve better outcomes for communities and mining companies 6. Due Diligence in the Mining Sector: An Expanding Concept 7. Financing Human Rights Due Diligence in Mining Projects Part III Contemporary Sustainability Challenges 8. Mining, Development and Indigenous Peoples 9. Transit Worker Accommodation in Remote Australian Mining Communities: Push and Pull Factors Part IV Corporate Sustainability Approaches 10. Sustainability reporting in the Mining Industry: Current Status and Future Research Directions 11. Mining Taxation in Mineral-rich Developing Countries: Past Mistakes and Future Challenges Part V Sustainability Solutions 12. Emissions and the Role of Renewables: Drivers, Potential, Projects and Projections 13. Implementing shared-use of mining infrastructure to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals